I decided to share this story with you all as it has helped me be a better leader. Handling emotions and not rushing to judgment allows you to be able to expand your leadership capacity. This will help with triage and keeping your team together in times of crisis. As a leader, you always need to stay alert and see the next wave coming.
It can be difficult to foresee the twists and turns which compel misfortune to beget fortune and vice versa.
There once was a (father), skilled in divination, who lived close to the frontier (with his son). One of his horses accidentally strayed into the lands of the Xiongnu, so everyone consoled him.
(But) the father said, “Why should I hastily (conclude) that this is not fortunate?”
After several months, the horse came back from the land of the Xiongnu, accompanied by another fine horse, so everyone congratulated him.
(But) the father said, “Why should I hastily (conclude) that this can not be unfortunate?”
His family had a wealth of fine horses, and his son loved riding them. One day (the son) fell off the horse and broke his leg, so everyone consoled (the father).
(But) the father said, “Why should I hastily (conclude) that this is not fortunate?”
One year later, the Xiongnu invaded the frontier, and all able-bodied men took up arms and went to war. Of the men from the frontier (who volunteered), nine out of ten men perished (from the fighting). It was only because of (the son's) broken leg, that the father and son were spared (this tragedy).
Therefore, misfortune begets fortune, and fortune begets misfortune. This goes on without end, and its depths can not be measured
The story has helped me in my personal and professional life. This perspective can be applied in so many ways and will allow you to see past your fear and loss. As a negative creates room for a positive to exist.
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